Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is poised to revolutionize energy sector operations with the scheduled deployment of an artificial intelligence ‘virtual engineer’ in June 2026. The announcement, made during a keynote address at the World Government Summit, represents a significant milestone in utility digitalization.
The sophisticated AI system will function as an expert analytical tool, continuously monitoring and optimizing the performance of DEWA’s power generation infrastructure. Engineered to process massive datasets from power plants through advanced machine learning algorithms, the virtual engineer will deliver predictive maintenance alerts, perform root cause analysis, and provide performance enhancement recommendations.
This technological innovation forms the cornerstone of DEWA’s comprehensive strategy to become the world’s first fully AI-integrated utility provider. The system’s implementation is projected to substantially reduce operational expenditures while simultaneously improving grid reliability through proactive maintenance protocols and operational efficiency optimization.
DEWA’s digital transformation extends beyond the virtual engineer initiative. The authority’s Digital DEWA subsidiary has already demonstrated AI capabilities through the ‘Rammas’ virtual employee platform, which has successfully addressed over 12 million customer inquiries. Additionally, AI implementation at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park—the world’s largest single-site solar facility—has enhanced solar panel efficiency, improved energy production forecasting, and optimized storage solutions.
The United Arab Emirates continues to demonstrate global leadership in artificial intelligence adoption, with recent reports from Microsoft and Oxford Insights ranking the nation first worldwide in AI tool implementation and among the top performers in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index. DEWA’s initiatives align with broader national objectives to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 while establishing Dubai as a global hub for both sustainability innovation and artificial intelligence development.